Library and Information Science Commons^™

A Comparison Of The Reading Levels Of Children’S Books And The Age/Grade Levels Assigned To Them By Reviewers, Gail G. Graham

Graduate Research Papers

Media specialists of today face the challenging task of obtaining appropriate materials to meet the particular needs of the school. Numerous reviewing media are available for guidance in the selection of children's books. Along with evaluative comments, age or grade level ranges are provided for specific books. In an attempt to determine whether reading levels are included in the age/grade level ranges, the readability estimates of forty selected primary books were obtained using the Spache Readability Formula and compared to the age/grade levels assigned to them by Booklist and School Library Journal. Thirty-one or 77.7 percent of the books …

Comic Book Reading Interests Of Primary Iv And Intermediate Iii Grade Students In Ames, Iowa Schools, Beverly Ann Baum

Graduate Research Papers

This research examines the reading interest in comic books of a Primary IV (term used in Ames, Iowa for Third Grade) and Intermediate III ( term used in Ames, Iowa for Sixth Grade) students. The study considered whether the sex, grade level, as well as reading ability of the students influenced the quantity and types of comics being read.

In the study three main hypotheses were tested. These hypotheses are listed as follows: 1) During a one week period, male students in the Primary IV and Intermediate III grades will read 25% more comic books than female students, 2) Students …

Foreign Language And The Librarian: The Use Of Foreign Languages By Librarians In Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa, Annette Blum

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine librarians' use of foreign languages in light of their individual language backgrounds and individual job requirements. The researcher interviewed forty-four academic, public, school, and special librarians in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa, area.

A Study Of The Nonuse Of The Humboldt Public Library By Some Fourth, Fifth, And Sixth Grade Students, Kay Muller

Graduate Research Papers

The public library is very much a part of the American scene in urban and rural communities across the nation, but it provides a service that is not used to the full extent possible. Although the library seems to be a consistently busy place, there are still many who do not make regular use of available library materials or facilities. Public libraries are not popular places with the majority of people. Contrary to the title of a well-known library film, statistics indicate that the public library is not "the hottest spot in town".

An Investigation Of Reading Interests Of Fiction For Academically Gifted Students Grades Four Through Six, Kathy Kelly

Graduate Research Papers

This study was concerned with how the media specialist could meet the leisure reading needs of gifted students. The specific purpose of the study was to find out what categories of fiction academically gifted students grades four through six choose to read. It was this writer's hypothesis that academically gifted students read all types of fiction on an equal basis, and there would be no variation among the types of categories that these students choose to read.

To test the hypothesis, each student with an I.Q. of 130 or above at Westridge Elementary School in Waterloo, Iowa, was given a …

A History Of The Department Of Library Science At The University Of Northern Iowa, 1948-1968, Myral A. S. Gilson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to compile a descriptive chronological history of the Department of Library Science at UNI from 1948 through 1968. Faculty, curriculum, facilities, and influencing factors were particularly noted.

Information was obtained through personal interviews with faculty members from the period, interview-questionnaires, and a search of university Bulletins, budgets, correspondence, and Faculty Senate minutes. The facts gathered were then presented chronologically within the areas of curriculum, faculty, facilities, and other information. A separate section contained the comparison of the Department of Library Science at UNI with the general pattern of development of education for school librarians. …

Lecture Versus Discussion In The Study Of Sophomore Library Skills, Sandri F. Gehrke

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine which method of instruction--the lecture or the small group discussion--would achieve the best learning results as far as knowledge of certain unfamiliar materials was concerned.

Specifically, the author of this research study tried to answer this questions When an instructor is teaching "selected" reference books to average-ability sophomores in an English 10 library skills unit at Fort Dodge Senior High School, Fort Dodge, Iowa, which method of instruction--the lecture or the small group discussion--will achieve the best learning results as measured by an author- constructed post-test?

In this research study the author …

The Contribution Of A Media Specialist To The Teaching And Learning Program In An Elementary School, Erma Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to identify factors which can be used to persuade the Oskaloosa Community School District to hire a media specialist to serve Grant Elementary School. The question is: Does a professional media specialist make a significant contribution to the teaching and learning program in an elementary school?

The hypothesis to be tested is: Previous research results and opinions of knowledgeable experts and practitioners in the field will show that students in schools which have centralized collections staffed by a trained media specialist make greater educational gains than students in schools without access to a centralized …

Readability Estimates Of The "Best Of The Best, 1970-75", Beverly S. Brown

Graduate Research Papers

Booklist's "Best of the Best, 1970-75," is a recommended reading list for young adults. No readability levels are included. The Dale-Chall, the Flesch, and the Fry readability formulas were, therefore, applied to the books on this list. Each formula is based upon a 100 word sample. The number of samples varies, depending upon the formula used. The Fry formula requires the use of a graph and the Dale-Chall formula uses the Dale word list. No auxiliary devices are needed for the Flesch formula. Using these three formulas, the readability estimates for the books on this list varied as much …

Integrated Shelving In The North Mahaska Library, Linda Foster

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to weigh the factors which *ill determine the feasibility of integrating the shelving of print and nonprint media in the North Kahaska Junior-Senior High School Library. As Mary 3. Cassata points out in the introduction to "Book Storage," no two libraries are alike, so each must study and examine possible ways to solve its own problems according to its own needs and resources.

Perceptions And Actions Related To Continuing Education: A Comparative Study Of Single-Purpose And Multi-Purpose Library School Graduates, Marilyn M. Norton

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect, if any, of professional preparation, single-purpose or multi-purpose graduate school librarianship programs, upon continuing education. A previously validated questionnaire was used to ascertain: a) the degree of involvement in continuing education activities, b) the degree of importance placed upon continuing education activities, c) the degree of disparity between involvement in and importance placed upon continuing education activities, and d) the form of continuing education pursued or viewed as most desirable. The survey instrument was administered to two randomly drawn samples: 1) University of Iowa, a multi-purpose program (N=50) and 2) …

A Study On Book Selection: Factors And Practices Influencing Selection, Sources For Purchasing, And Reviewing Media Used By Selected Iowa Public School Librarians, Dale F. Birch

Graduate Research Papers

While the library literature had some studies devoted to book selection in academic and public libraries, there were very few studies which had been devoted to book selection in public school libraries. Firstly, very little research seemed available on factors which influence selection. For example, was the publisher's reputation a more critical factor in selection than was the author's reputation? Was a favorable book review a more critical factor in selection than was a faculty recommendation? Was there one selection factor which seemed more important than any other one in influencing selection decisions?

A Survey Of Cataloging Practices Pertaining To Audio And Visual Materials In Iowa High Schools, Wanda Farrell

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study is to determine who in the Iowa high schools is responsible for the cataloging of audio and visual materials and the methods, sources, and treatment of cataloging audio and visual materials. Hypothesis

1. In Iowa high schools, the School Librarian (Media Specialist) is responsible for the professional aspects of the cataloging of audio and visual materials 100% of the t\me even though an Educational Media Specialist is employed by the high school.

2. Color banding and/or colored cards are used in 50% of the high schools.

3. For classification of audio and visual materials 75% …

A Survey Of Student Assistant Training Programs In Iowa High School Media Centers, Jacquelyn Kay Medin

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of the study was to determine how Iowa public high school media centers trained student assistants, to what tasks they were assigned, and in what manner their work was officially recognized or awarded. A questionnaire was sent to 111 schools asking which training method--formal course, handbook, or individual instruction--was used to teach specific tasks. The media specialists were also asked to identify the tasks assigned to student assistants and what type of award was given to the students for their work. Sixty-three schools (56.76 percent) replied. Forty-three schools (68.25 percent) used student assistants and 7B percent or more …

Protection Against The Threat Of Censorship: An Opinion Survey Of School Librarians, Mary Jane H. Martin

Graduate Research Papers

The research study was directed to Iowa school librarians and sought information in the areas of censorship and selection. A questionnaire survey was submitted to 155 elementary and secondary school librarians in the Spring of 1975. 130 replies were returned and tabulated.

The results of the study show that fifty-one percent of the schools had a materials selection policy. Of the sixty-six schools reporting materials selection policies all but three had policies which included procedures to be used when complaints against materials were lodged. The same number of respondents felt such policies do allow the librarian to use his/her professional …

Sponsorship Biasing Effects On A School Library Censorship Survey, Andris E. Kaupins

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of the study was to determine what relationship exists between two survey sponsoring organizations and the responses of a randomly selected group of Iowa public high school librarians (n = 200) to a revised version of a library censorship questionnaire developed by Charles H. Busha. One hundred of these librarians received the mailed questionnaires with the stated sponsorship of the Department of Library Science, at the University of Northern Iowa (85% response). The other 100 librarians received the same questionnaire but with the stated sponsorship of the fictitious "Society for Decency in Literature" (55% response). One section of …

The Case Of The Mysterious Lizard, Patrick D. Murphy

Graduate Research Papers

The Council Bluffs Community Schools does not have media specialists in most of its elementary buildings. This means that there is not a qualified professional available to teach library skills to a majority of the students. The prospects of an improvement in this situation in the near future are not good because of budgetary pressures, Because of this, responsibility for instruction in library skills must be assumed by district level personnel. As there are only two professionals on the district level, some means of reaching many students in a limited amount of time must be used, A television production meets …

Censorship In Iowa Schools, Janet Tibbets

Graduate Research Papers

Research for this study covers the 1974-1975 school year and the 1975-1976 school year. A comparison of the data collected from the two years will show that as the media centers become a more important and integral part of the school curriculum, their visibility will cause material in the centers to become more subject to question. There will therefore be an increase in censorship in the schools in the 1975-1976 school year. Research will also show that persons in the community who make complaints against material have common characteristics, such as religious background, educational level and membership in special interest …

History Of The University Of Northern Iowa Museum, 1890-1975, Pauline L. Sauer

Library Documents & Reports (entire collection)

The museum at the University of Northern Iowa has been an important adjunct of the institution since the last decade of the nineteenth century. The first 65 or so years of its existence are reviewed by the late Mr. Fred Cram, then archivist at the Iowa State Teachers College, in a 15-page paper, “The Museum at the Iowa State Normal School,” prepared in 1955 at the request of Dr. Emmett J. Cable, curator of the museum. The information on this era, summarized below, is gleaned from this paper unless otherwise noted.

An Annotated Bibliography Of High Interest - Low Vocabulary Multimedia Materials For Junior High Students, Nancy Grimes

Graduate Research Papers

Two major areas of concern to the adolescent are behavior and emotions. They are interested in learning about genuine emotions and how people feel when they behave in certain ways. They also are concerned about the real world and seek to understand their own emotions, behaviors and life. Materials that provide for these particular interests will be appealing to the adolescent reader. Again, media specialists should be aware of any existing materials that deal with these concerns for possible purchase.

A Selected Bibliography Of Methods And Materials For Teaching Creative Writing, Linda R. Groen

Graduate Research Papers

Creative writing can be seen, then, as an integral part of the curriculum, and the need to investigate it is readily apparent. The nature of the material available on creative writing necessitated that the investigation be handled in a somewhat different manner from that of the usual research project. Although a great deal has been written about creative writing, the emphasis has been on techniques, rationalities, and ideas. Few research studies have been conducted on the need for or design of creative writing programs. For this reason, and from comments made by authors such as Ms. Mueller, the author has …

How The Report Of The Commission Of Pornography And Obscenity And The Supreme Court Decisions Of June 21, 1973 Effected Citizen Action Groups, 1970-1975, Dennis A. Hinrichs

Graduate Research Papers

The specific problem to be discussed is stated as follows: Was there a difference in the number of successful actions taken by citizen action groups after the publication of the Report of the Commission on Obscenity and Pornography and the number of successful actions taken by citizen action groups following the Supreme Court rulings of June 21, 1973?

Career Information Needs Of Jr.-Sr. High School Media Centers, Norma Dee Hassman

Graduate Research Papers

Because of Iowa's increased interest in career education in the schools, it is the responsibility of the media specialist to have available in the media center material on various careers of interest to the students.

A Study Of The Bases For Objections To Children’S Books, Linda L. Mcgrew

Graduate Research Papers

Specifically, the researcher attempted to answer the question: What subjects, ideas, treatments of subject matter, or isolated incidents portrayed in children's picture books and fiction have raised objections from school faculty members, parents, or any other individuals or organized groups in a community within the last ten years?

Methods Used By Iowa Elementary Librarians In Teaching Library Skills, Florence W. Thordsen

Graduate Research Papers

In all areas of teaching the word "relevancy" is being used. College instructors in the fields of education, articles written by educators, leaders of education workshops are saying that the student learns faster and retains more when materials and approaches are relevant. In recent years, only since about 1966, those in the school library field have been advancing this theory. Ericson and Carmody state in a 1971 article, "Individualization has always been the librarian's stock and trade. Add the new keynote 'relevancy.' There can, then, be no predetermined sequence taught as isolated media skills lessons. To be effective, any teaching …

Proposed Media Center Services To Chiricahua Apache Elementary School Students, Kathleen Cole

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is intended to serve as a preliminary study for the formation of an elementary school media center designed to serve Chiricahua Apache children. At present time the Chiricahua do not have a home reservation. A lawsuit has been filed to regain their reservation in the southeas.t corner of Arizona which was terminated by executive order in 1877, The Chiricahua people are scattered, with some making their homes on the Mescalero Reservation in New Mexico, the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona, and at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.. The majority of the group lives in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. …

Learning Stations: One Method Of Individualization, Douglas Harrenstein

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper will attempt to answer the question: Learning stations: How do they work? Because of the current emphasis on individualization, learning stations offer one way of approaching individualization. The concept of learning stations hinges on the premise that the teacher can make better learning opportunities for more individual types.

A Study Of The Classification Systems For Curriculum Laboratories, Maxine M. Wegner

Graduate Research Papers

The State of Iowa, through a bill reorganizing the intermediate county education systems into fifteen intermediate area education agencies providing special education, media, and auxiliary services, has mandated that the media division shall provide a professional library and curriculum laboratory for the area that it serves.

The area media center is not a new concept in Iowa as there are presently sixteen such centers in the state

that provide a variety of services to the schools in their area with a few centers providing curriculum laboratories for the teachers in their area. These sixteen centers 4 became a part of …

A Slide-Tape Orientation To The Nevada High School Instructional Materials Center, Russell B. Carlson

Graduate Research Papers

This slide-tape presentation will show the incoming sophomore high school students the location of major areas and indexes of the Nevada High School Instructional Materials Center. Since there is an extensive library skills unit taught in both the upper elementary and junior high schools, the students are familiar with the use of the indexes in the I.M.C. The slide-tape series will be used in the sophomore communications classes as an introduction to the I.M.C. and will be followed by an assignment using materials located in the I.M.C. In addition to the slide-tape series, each student will be furnished with a …

A Descriptive Survey Of The Use Of Adult Volunteers In The Public High School Media Centers In The State Of Iowa, Sharon Lea Hughes Mcturk

Graduate Research Papers

Library literature indicates a growth in the use of volunteers in libraries. The purposes of this study were three fold. it was designed to determine if volunteers are serving in high school library-media centers in the state of Iowa. In those centers where volunteers were not used, the reasons for not utilizing volunteers were ascertained. The third function of this study was to learn how volunteers are contributing to the media centers that engage their services.